I am going to clean my TB this weekend. Couple of questions... Truck only has 46,000 miles on it, Is it really necessary to clean it? I was going to see if it helps at all with a little rough idle. Also how can I do it? is it hard?

Any help would be great.

 

To tell you the truth, the TB doesn't usually get that dirty, especially with only 46k on it. I replaced my TB for a bigger one at about 60k, and mine was still looking relatively clean. These trucks are known for an intermittet rough idle, but if it's really bothering you, I'd look to the IAC (Idle Air Controller) first. Cleaning the TB isn't really gonna get you anywhere with a rough idle. However, if it makes you feel better, go for it! Take the airbox off (if I remember right, it just pops off the front of the TB after disconnecting the temp sensor and MAF from the airbox. Pull out the airbox, set it aside. There are 4 bolts holding the TB to the intake manifold, and one is kinda tricky to get to. Disconnect the two cables on the passenger side (throttle linkage). It's not a difficult job at all, just a little wrench turning. This is a sore stomach job (will be doing alot of leaning over the radiator and such, especially with a 4x4 like ours), but doesn't take that long. You'll have to disconnect the throttle position sensor too (on the driver side of the TB) if you plan on removing the TB. Good luck!

 

Cleaning the TB will help! I clean mine every 3k miles before each oil change.It clears up rough idles and hesitation.I clean the IAC every 3rd oil change.Use only TB cleaner and a old soft bristle toothbrush. Have fun and enjoy the new found power afterwards!

 

Seafoam deepcreep is any excellent product for cleaning the throttle body and you don't have to take anything apart....cleaning the IAC is good maintenance for these engines for they almost always will gum up on you.

 

Don't forget to remove the idle sensor before you do any cleaning. TB cleaner will detroy it. If you are going to take it off, remove the sensor and give it a good soaking in mineral spirits only. MS will not remove the coating inside. Most other solvents will. Clean out the air ports, then let it dry, put the sensor back on and your rough idle should be gone.

 

If you buy the right type of TB cleaner, you don't have to remove the TB to begin with. Use TB cleaner that is designed not to remove the teflon coating. Do not use carb cleaner.

You need to also look into cleaning all the ports within the plenum (the part the TB bolts to). This is where many people fail when cleaning. The ports, such as the EGR port, get clogged and cause CEL's and performance issues.

When I swapped TB's earlier this year, I noted just how black the internal part of the plenum had become. That black coating is soot from the EGR. If you don't remove it, it will solidify and cause problems. TB cleaner will remove it, fairly easily. I ended up going through 3/4 of a can. The truck will really have issues when you start it with all that gunk in the intake runners... be patient and it will start and idle properly after a few minutes.

-Kerry

 

KS, I agree that it can be done that way, but I would not do it on mine. I would not want all that junk going through the runners, then again, it might not hurt if it removed the gunk off of the intake valves.

 

If I were to do it that way. How would I get the cleaner in the TB?

 

The throttle body is actually the butterfly valve part of the assembly. That's pretty straight forward. The plenum is the part that the throttle body bolts to, and that assembly (TB/plenum) bolts to the upper intake.

You'll need to take that plastic shroud off the engine, 3 bolts (2 - 10mm, 1 - 8mm) hold in in place.

Without the engine running, but still kinda warm, hold the butterfly open - a lint free cloth works, wad it up and put it in on the bottom side. You'll need a flash light for inspection purposes.

Now you can see from the outside what's attached to that plenum. Based on that outside visual inspection and looking at the inside with the flash light you can see where the ports are located.

Make sure the plastic straw is firmly inserted in the nozzle and give each port a good hosing with the cleaner (loss of a straw results in tearing down the plenum and TB... potentially the intake to retrieve it - this is why I do this with the truck off).

These ports are to the right and top of the plenum (iirc - my truck is 1000 miles away). Then from the top of the inside of the plenum, nearest the TB, spray the cleaner in a motion that tracks the curve of the plenum... basically away from you.

The plenum will be clean when it looks more silvery than brown/black. You can adjust the rag propping the butterfly open as necessary to get the best results (top vs. bottom of butterfly).
It also helps to keep this open for a little while after you've cleaned the plenum to your satisfaction to allow the evaporation of the cleaner.

Pull the rag, wipe the TB, button the truck up, and attempt to start the truck... the truck is essentially flooded from the cleaner.

It may take several attempts, spaced out over a few minutes, to get it running.

At first, the truck will run kind of rough, then as all the cleaner evaporates or is burned the truck will run just like new.

Hope that helps...

-Kerry